The Care and Feeding of Children eBook

First, see that the feet are warm. Place them
against a hot-water bag, or hold them before an open
fire; apply a hot flannel to the abdomen, or let the
child lie upon its stomach across a hot-water bag.
If the colic continues, a half teacupful of warm water
containing ten drops of turpentine may be injected
into the bowels with a syringe; at the same time the
abdomen should be gently rubbed so as to start the
wind. If the gas is in the stomach, half of a
soda mint tablet may be given in a tablespoonful of
very warm water.

EARACHE

What are the symptoms of earache?

The pain is generally severe and accompanied by a
sharp scream; the child often puts the hand to the
affected ear, or cries whenever it is touched.
The pain is likely to be prolonged and continuous.

How should a child with earache be treated?

The ear should be irrigated with a solution of boric
acid (twenty grains to the ounce) as warm as can be
borne. Dry heat may then be applied in several
ways. The ear having been first covered with
cotton, a small hot-water bag or one filled with hot
salt or bran, may be bound over it with a bandage;
or a small butter plate heated in hot water may be
used in the same way. The hot-water bag may be
held against the ear or the child may lie with his
head upon it. The use of such substances as oil
and laudanum in the ear is not to be recommended.

CROUP

What are the symptoms of croup?

There is a hollow, dry, barking cough, with some difficulty
in breathing.

When is this likely to come on?

Usually at night.

Is simple croup dangerous?

The ordinary croup of infants is spasmodic croup,
and is very rarely dangerous, although the symptoms
seem very alarming.

What are the symptoms?

In a mild attack there is simply noisy breathing,
especially on drawing in the breath, with a tight,
barking, or croupy cough. In a severe attack
the child’s breathing is more noisy and becomes
difficult.

What is the dangerous form of croup?

Membranous croup, which is the same thing as diphtheria
of the larynx.

How does this develop?

Gradually; very rarely does it come on suddenly.

What should be done for a baby who has spasmodic
croup?

The room should be very warm, hot cloths or poultices
should be applied over the throat, and either a croup
kettle or an ordinary tea-kettle kept boiling in the
room. This is more efficacious if the child is
placed in a tent made by a raised umbrella with a sheet
thrown over it, and the steam introduced beneath the
tent. If the symptoms are urgent, ten drops of
the sirup of ipecac should be given every fifteen
minutes until free vomiting occurs. Whenever the
symptoms reach a point where breathing becomes difficult,
a doctor should be summoned without delay.